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Today's Promise

Cheer Up; He Has Overcome

"I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind.
Here on earth you will have many sorrows and trials; but cheer up, for I have
overcome the world" (John 16:33).

I know of few promises in all the Word of God that offer more assurance and
encouragement than this one.

The apostle Paul was an aggressive soldier of God who carried the gospel far
and wide throughout the known world. He was greatly used of God to expand the
territorial borders of Christendom. All that Paul did, he did in the name of
Christ and through the power and control of the Holy Spirit.

But there was great opposition to Paul's ministry. Consequently, he always
seemed to be in the center of spiritual warfare. He knew his enemies, Satan and
the world system, and their subtle, deceiving devices.

Throughout his Christian life, he suffered various kinds of persecutions,
including stonings, beatings and imprisonment. In spite of such harsh
persecution, Paul could write, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will
say, rejoice" (Philipians 4:4, NAS).

It was during Paul's imprisonment in Rome, about 61 or 62 A.D., that he wrote
to the church at Ephesus. The theme of his letter is supernatural living, and he
talks about the Christian's spiritual warfare. He tells us that the battle we
fight is against Satan and the spiritual forces of wickedness, not against other
people.

The apostle Paul experienced the supernatural peace of heart and mind which
Jesus promised, a promise which we too can claim, in times of difficulty,
testing and even persecution.

TODAY'S ACTION POINT:
Today I will claim the peace of heart and mind which Jesus promised to all who
trust and obey Him. Deliberately and faithfully I will seek to put on the whole
armor of God so that I will be fully prepared to withstand the wiles of the
enemy and thus live a supernatural life for the glory of God.